How To Celebrate Diwali At Home with Family?

Before we delve into the “how,” let’s first understand the “why.” Celebrated in late October or early November, Diwali marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Rooted in Hindu mythology, the festival is commemorated by millions across the globe, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences. It’s a celebration that fuels the spirit of unity, prosperity, and love, embracing everyone into its radiant spectacle.

Though traditionally a community-based celebration, the essence of Diwali can be enjoyed in the comfort of your home. How to celebrate Diwali at home comes with its own set of wonders, infusing the space with joy, warmth, and togetherness. So, let’s get started with the festive preparations!

Shopping is an integral part of Diwali celebrations. People buy new clothes, home decor items, sweets, fireworks, and gifts for loved ones. While going out shopping could be fun, in this digital age, online shopping is a convenient alternative, especially if you are planning to celebrate Diwali at home. Many websites and applications offer exclusive Diwali sales and discounts, making it an economical and safe option.

The celebration begins with a thorough cleaning of the house. Diwali is linked with the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, who is believed to visit the cleanest house first. This time-honoured ritual brings not only cleanliness but also harmony and positive vibes. Dust those forgotten corners, declutter the living spaces and embrace the spirit of renewal.

Once the house is cleaned, it’s time for decoration. Diwali is incomplete without the traditional ‘Rangoli,’ an intricate floor design made with coloured powders, rice, or flowers. Create beautiful Rangoli designs at your home’s entrance and other strategic locations to invite positive energy. Decorate the house with Diwali lanterns, fairy lights, and traditional oil lamps or ‘Diyas.’ Hang vibrant ‘Torans’ or door hangings at the entrance to create a festive ambience.

Food is an integral part of any celebration, and Diwali is no different. Families come together to prepare traditional dishes and sweets like Laddoos, Jalebis, Samosas, and Peda. The aromas wafting from the kitchen fill the entire home, signalling the start of festivities. Trying your hand at these recipes and having a mini feast at home can be a great way to mark the occasion. Don’t forget to share your homemade treats with your neighbours, as sharing food is a beautiful Diwali tradition that fosters community spirit.

While Diwali is synonymous with fireworks, the environmental concerns associated with them are serious. Excessive smoke and noise pollution can harm both the environment and our health. Therefore, celebrating a ‘Green Diwali’ is the need of the hour. Instead of fireworks, light more diyas and candles, which are not only eco-friendly but also hold true to the essence of this festival of lights.

You can also try creating eco-friendly decorations. Use recyclable materials for crafts and rangoli. Instead of buying plastic decor, create your decorations from materials you already have at home. Not only will this allow you to have a green Diwali, but it also offers an opportunity for a fun-filled crafting session with your family.

One of the delightful aspects of Diwali is the vibrant and festive decorations that are integral to this festival. Lighting up your home with diyas (traditional oil lamps), candles, and fairy lights not only signifies the victory of light over darkness but also brings a cheerful and festive look to your home.

Decorating doors and windows with colourful lanterns and rangolis, intricate designs made on the ground with coloured powders or flowers, also adds to the Diwali spirit. You can even encourage your family members to participate in a friendly rangoli competition at home. This way, the question of “how to celebrate Diwali at home” becomes an exercise in creativity and family bonding.

The heart of Diwali is the ‘Lakshmi Puja,’ a ritual performed to invite the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. Arrange a small space in your home for the Diwali Pooja. Clean the area, decorate it with flowers and lights, and place idols or pictures of the deities. Light incense sticks, ring bells, chant mantras, and offer sweets and fruits as ‘Prasad.’ The puja brings spiritual upliftment, reinforcing the values of humility and gratitude.

Diwali is also a time for fun and laughter. Engage in family-friendly games like cards or board games. ‘Teen Patti,’ a popular Indian card game, is traditionally played during Diwali. Not only does it promote bonding and interaction, but it also adds a dash of thrill and excitement to the celebrations.

Exchanging gifts is a heart-warming Diwali tradition that strengthens bonds and creates cherished memories. You can gift anything from sweets, dry fruits, home décor items, or even eco-friendly products. In this digital age, sending e-gifts or virtual gift cards is also a great way to share the joy of the festival with distant loved ones.

Celebrating Diwali at home doesn’t mean it has to be a quiet affair. It can be filled with fun activities and games. Playing cards is a popular tradition during Diwali, as it’s considered auspicious and a symbol of the goddess Parvati’s blessing. Organise a friendly card game tournament with your family. For the younger members, you can plan craft activities like diya painting or creating paper lanterns.

If you have family or friends living far away and can’t be physically present for Diwali, technology can come to your rescue. Organise a virtual Diwali party where everyone can join in the celebrations. You can have virtual games, share virtual meals, and even do an online exchange of gifts. In this way, you’ll be able to celebrate Diwali together, despite the distance.

Diwali is a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead with positivity and hope. It’s a time to let go of grudges, to forgive and to look towards the future with optimism. Share stories and experiences with each other, passing on the traditional tales that embody the spirit of Diwali to younger generations.

This spirit of togetherness, reflection, and sharing brings an emotional and spiritual depth to the festival. It also ensures that the cultural and traditional significance of the festival is preserved and passed down to future generations.

Immerse yourself and your family in the rich cultural narratives associated with Diwali. Share stories about Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya or the defeat of Narakasura by Lord Krishna. These narratives reinforce the underlying values of Diwali—good over evil, light over darkness—and can provide valuable life lessons for younger family members.

Last but not least, amidst the excitement and celebration, do not forget to take care of your health. Try to balance indulgence with nutritious choices. Ensure proper safety measures when lighting firecrackers or diyas. Remember, a happy and healthy Diwali is a memorable Diwali.

The essence of Diwali lies not in grandeur but in its underlying message of the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil. Understanding how to celebrate Diwali at home can open up new avenues for celebration that are not only fun and engaging but also environmentally responsible and deeply personal.

A home celebration of Diwali is a symphony of lights, colours, aromas, and sounds intertwined with a profound sense of spirituality, unity, and togetherness. As we light our homes with diyas, may our hearts, too, be illuminated with love, compassion, and the spirit of celebration. Wishing you a joyous, safe, and eco-friendly Diwali right at home!